Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,671, Simeon Farnum, Mass.

SERVICE
Mass.
Farnum, Simeon
NUMBER
S. 31.671
CONTENTS

18.322
Maine
Simeon Farnum
of Penobscot in the State of Maine who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Abbot of the Regt. commanded by Col. Wiggsworth in the Mass. militia line for 13 mos.
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 43 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 day of August 1833 and sent to
Allen Appleton Bangor
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $86.66 Semi-annual allowance ending Sept. 1833 21.66
$108.32
{ Revolutionary Claims Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk Book 1 Vol. 1 Page 1

No 25647
Simon Farnum Penobscot Maine
Adm Q
13 mths
Allen & Appleton Bangor Maine

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Simon Farnum Penobscot Maine
   Enlisted Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enlisted 1776 - 2 - private Capt Abbott, Col Payson 76 years Rudover Traditionary evidence and two witnesses - papers correct   Enlisted July 1778 - 5 - " Capt Johnson, Colonel Wiggensworth Massachusetts   Enlisted 1777 - 2 - " Capt Johnson   Enlisted 1777 - 4 - Capt Johnson, Genl Gates  
Battle at Saratoga
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his-

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the petitioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule is note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

31 671 Rev INVALID.
File No. 31, 671
Simeon Fannin
Rev Rev
Act June 1 st 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 181
[Arrangement of 1870.]

FARNUM, SIMEON (MASS) S-31671
State of Maine.
WE the undersigned a Clergyman Clergyman, residing in the town of Litchfield in the County of Penobscot and State of Maine residing in the same town, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Simeon Farnum who has subscribed and sworn to the annexed declaration; that we believe him to be 75 years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Charles Wyman ) Justices Samuel Chase ) of Stetson David Lakin )
STATE OF MAINE.
Penobscot ss. Sworn and subscribed this fifth day of November A. D. 1832
Before me,
Amasa Stetson , Justice of the Peace.
I the undersigned Clerk of Probate certify that Amasa Stetson is a justice of the Peace for the County of Penobscot and that the above is his true and correct signature in testimony of which I have this 3 day of June 1832 signed my name & affixed the Seal of said Court.
Frederick Savage

Simon Tremain 25047 State of Maine.
AND the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Oliver Tremain who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clare resident in the town of Tazewell and that General Clark  David Lake who has also signed the same, is a resident of the same town and is a are creditable person, and that their statement is entitled to credit, as I believe the same only personally acquainted with David Lake.
William D. Williamson Judge apostured
State of Maine.
Michael ss.—1. Alexander Savage  Probate for the County of Penobscot hereby certify that the W. D. Williamson before whom the within proceedings was had, is Judge of Probate of said State ; I also certify that the within contains the original proceedings of the said Judge, in the matter of the application of Simon Tremain for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court, this 15 th day of November A. D. 1832
Alexander Savage

DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
STATE OF MAINE, } ss.
Penobscot
ON this ninth day of October A. D. 1832 personally appeared
before the Hon. W. D. Williamson  Judge of Probate
of said State, Simon Tarmann a resident of Penobscot  St. John in the County of Penobscot and State of Maine, aged seventy six
years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States, in the year 1776 with Captain
Abbot and served in Col. Payson regiment of the Massachusetts line or troops under the following named officers:
Abbot Capt. Payson he enlisted in 1776 in Capt. Abbott's Company for two months & served out his time at Red Bank  Brandywine when he was voluntarily discharged. In 1777 in July he again enlisted for five months in the Company of Capt. Johnson, Col. Weymouth's regiment of the Massachusetts line. He marched to Ticonderoga & was engaged in labor on the fort & in other military duty. Gen. Gates surrendered at Ticonderoga Gen. Arnold & St. Clair were there. There were no battles fought. He served out the period of his enlistment & was voluntarily discharged. In 1779 he enlisted for two months under Capt. Sawyer the Colonel's name he has forgotten. He went to Bristol R.I. & served out the period of his enlistment & was voluntarily discharged. The same year 1779 he enlisted for 4 months under Capt. Shapley & went to the army under Gen. Gates and was present at the taking of Gen. Burgoyne . He was in the battle there fought. He served out four months & was then voluntarily discharged having served in all thirteen months.

And to the interrogatories propounded under the instructions of the war department, he answers :
He was born in Auburn, Mass. in the Year 1756. The period of the remainder of his age will be found in Medone. He resides in Auburn at the present time of his revolutionary service. He now resides in the  state of  Mass. He each time enlisted was voluntarily discharged. He recollects Gen. Gates & Arnold at Bennington - as having been Ticonderoga - and Gates & Arnold as having been at the taking of Bennington. He was always voluntarily discharged. His only heirs are the annexed depositions of Messrs. Wyman, Clark & Lakin who are near neighbors of his. There is no settled minister in town.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any agency in any State.
Simeon Farnum
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Open Court
William D. Williamson Judge of Probate for the County of Penobscot
And the said Judge does hereby declare his opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.
William D. Williamson Judge of Probate
FARNUM, SIMEON (MASS.) S- 31671

I Joseph Shattuck of Andover in the County of Essex & Commonwealth of Mass- -chusetts, in the 76 th year of my age Depose and say, That Simon Harriman form- -erly of said Andover, but now of in the state of Maine, Served two months in Capt n John Abbott's Company of Militia, the Col s name I do not recollect he enlisted for two months, and served at Roxbury, and was discharged in January 1776. And in July following he enlisted again in Capt n Johnson's Company in Col s Wigglesworth's Regiment of Militia for five months. He marched to Ticonderoga Gen l . Gates was the Commander, and he was engaged at the fort-bridge, and other duty, he served his time out and was discharged. I was with him in both of those campaigns, and was discharged at the same time. I also further state that I believe said Simon Harriman again enlisted in the year 1777, in said Capt n Johnson's Company under Gen l . Gates, and that he was at the taking of Bennington's Army, and that he was in the battle then fought he belonged to the Militia, and I be- -longed to the Continental Army. I believe he served four months, and was discharged. I was present at the same time, but not in the Company with him, but I knew of this

of this company, being there, and was acquainted with several of them, Joseph Shatluck
Essex ss May 4 th 1833. Then the above named Joseph Shatluck made oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him sub- scribed -
Before me H. Swift Justice of Peace
I certify that the Deposition above named is a person of truth & veracity -
H. Swift Justice of Peace
I Benjamin Carlton of Dedham in the county of Essex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the 78 th year of my age Depose & say that Simon Harrison formerly of said Dedham, but now of in the state of Maine, enlisted about the first of Dec r 1775 in Capt n Abbott's Company, Col. Dyer's Regiment of Militia and marched to Roxbury. he served out the time of his enlistment which was two months. I was in the same company and we were both discharged at the same time.
I also Depose & say that said Simon Harrison again enlisted in Capt n John Foster's Company. Major Cushing was our commander. He enlisted in April 1777. he marched to

enlisted in the state of Rhode Island, and served three months, and was dismissed in July 1777. I was in the same company I have always been acquainted with him we were school boys together, he was a brave & good soldier. I also further say, that he was at the taking of Burgoyne's Army in 1777 - he has told me that he was in the Battle fought near that time, I was one of the 30 days men - but I always understood that he enlisted for 3 or 4 months. Deaf Carlton
Essex ss. May 15 th 1833. Then the above named Benj o Carlton made oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed.
Before me H. Swift Justice
I Certify that the Deponent above named is a very credible Witness.
H. Swift Justice
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Essex ss.
I John Prince jr. Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in said County do hereby certify that H. Swift is a Justice of the Peace in said County & that I believe his signature above is genuine.
Witness my hand & the seal of said Court at Salem this 21 st day of May 1833.
John Prince Jr. Clk.